United Nations Office in Belgrade

Daily Media Highlights

Monday 19 April 2021

LOCAL PRESS

Vucic expects no pressure in Brussels; Never saw alleged unofficial non-paper (Beta/B92)
Serbia, Russia committed to principles of international law, UN; Danger from giving up UNSCR 1244 (RTS/Tanjug/Politika)
Lavrov dismissed idea of tailoring former Yugoslavia’s borders (Beta/Politika)
Selakovic: Iran supports Serbia in all international organizations (RTS)
Selakovic: Iran’s support regarding Kosovo (Politika/Tanjug/RTS)
Dacic: Preparatory phase consultations for inter-party dialogue begin today (Tanjug/RTS)
Bosniaks call Inzko to impose law on ban on genocide denial (Politika)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina

Dodik: Peaceful separation in B&H is only option that will certainly be realized in upcoming period (ATV)
Vucic: Unless we can help, Serbia will not interfere in internal matters of B&H (RTRS)
RS parliament to discuss SNSD’s initiative to launch discussions between FB&H, RS and representatives of constituent people on future of B&H (EuroBlic)
Pahor: Slovenia is sincere friend of B&H, I reject any dangerous ideas about re-tailoring of borders (O kanal)
Jansa informs Dzaferovic disputable ‘non-paper’ does not exist (Nova BH)
Dzaferovic sends letter to Michel expressing concern over alleged Slovenian ‘non-paper’ on B&H (O kanal)
Izetbegovic writes letter to Sassoli and Tusk, warns them about secessionist aspirations (Hayat)
Covic: Reforms in B&H necessary to avoid story about disintegration (O kanal)
International officials comment non-paper (BHT1)
Regional officials comment non-paper on dissolution of B&H (Nova BH)
Ambassador Kalabukhov writes to Oslobodjenje: NATO is problem for B&H and decision about it is up to B&H (Oslobodjenje)
Croatia

Croatia’s President blasts alleged non-paper on changing borders in Balkans (Hina)
Grlic Radman: Change of borders in B&H is out of question (Jutarnji list)
EU Delegation, US Embassy and OSCE reject Arnautovic’s claims about electoral reform leading to formation of third entity (Vecernji list)
Montenegro

Government ready to sign agreement with SPC, Krivokapic says (CdM)
Albania

Rama confirms existence of map of redrawn borders in Western Balkans (Radio Tirana)
Elections in Albania, Vucic: Basha and Berisha want ethnic Albania (ADN)

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA SOURCES

Iranian President Stresses Need to Maintain Peace, Stability in Balkans (FNA)

United Nations Office in Belgrade

Daily Media Highlights

Thursday 15 April 2021

LOCAL PRESS

Vucic: We expect Putin’s visit by year’s end (Tanjug/RTS/RTV)
Serbia firmly committed to strengthening strategic partnership with Russia (Tanjug/RIA)
Selakovic: UN SC session important for presenting stance on Kosovo (TV Pink/Beta/Politika)
Brnabic: Gratitude to Iran for support to Serbia and current principled position on unilaterally declared independence of Kosovo; Serbia committed to strengthening bilateral relations with Iran (Tanjug)
Selakovic not officially informed about existence of Jansa’s alleged document on continuation of dissolution of Yugoslavia (Novosti)
Krivokapic: There will be no “Montenegrin spring” but a tourist summer, this government will last (RTS)
Dacic: EP to hold online consultations with all Serbian parliamentary and non-parliamentary parties between 19 and 22 April (RTV/Beta)
Lajcak with Reeker on activities in WB (Beta)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina

Alleged non-paper on WB leaks out: Merging of RS and Serbia, Kosovo and Albania (N1/ necenzurirano.si)
B&H politicians divided over alleged Slovenian non-paper on Western Balkans (N1)
Logar denies allegations on non-paper that Jansa allegedly submitted; MEP Fajon and Jansa resume with mutual accusations regarding this issue (Nova BH)
Nemec: Slovenian authorities never discussed reshaping of borders in Balkans; Analysts Petrovic and Zupljanin comment allegations on Jansa’s non-paper (Glas Srpske)
Ljubic: Greater-Bosniak strategy advocates unitary B&H, Serbs need to get involved in process of changes of B&H Election Law; peaceful dissolution of B&H is not possible (Nezavisne)
Vulic: Part of international community, illegally appointed CEC members and RS opposition planning amendments to Election Law aimed to bring opposition parties back to ruling authorities (ATV)
RS Collegium to discuss awards given to sentenced war criminals (BN TV)
Deadline for revoking of awards for war criminals expires in May; RS official indicate that revoking is possible (N1)
Mayor of Istocno Sarajevo Cosic: If Sarajevo officials ignore request for removal of plaques, B&H CC will give answer (RTRS)
Croatia

Grlic Radman says Croatia will continue to support B&H on its EU path (HRT)
Montenegro

DF admits it needs international assistance to reconcile quarreling government members (CdM)
DF asks from Joanikije to reconcile Krivokapic and Leposavic in a Christian way (Pobjeda)
Abazovic interested in PM position? (CdM)
Republic of North Macedonia

Xhaferi calls for a meeting to resume legislative work in the parliament (Republika)
EU member states decided not to discuss Balkan enlargement at the coming European Council (MIA)
Albania

Kim a message to SPAK: What’s lacking is courage (Tirana Times)
Albanian Helsinki Committee: Electoral subjects should respect the right to privacy and secrecy of the ballot (Tirana Times)
Rama: We managed to vaccinate while the EU left us without vaccines (Tirana Times)

LOCAL PRESS

Selakovic: Albanian extremism amplifies political instability in Kosovo (Tanjug/Politika/RTS/RTV)
Brnabic expects UNMIK to remain engaged in an undiminished scope and with an unchanged mandate (RTS)
Vucic to Fabrizi: Changes in Law on Information needed (N1)
Godfrey: US deepening commitment to Serbia (Beta)
Dacic: Relations with US among priorities of state policy (Tanjug)
Ambassador: Greece’s position on independence of Kosovo remains unchanged (Tanjug/RTV)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina

Dodik: RS will not take part in talks on changes to B&H Election Law if CEC members have any kind of role in that; RS will not engage in war and that only option is peaceful dissolution (ATV)
SDA warns peaceful dissolution of B&H will never happen and can only result in wars in region and entire Europe; RS officials strongly condemn SDA for presenting such threats (EuroBlic)
Pahor: Upon my return from B&H, I am more convinced that EU finds itself in unfavorable situation, in which it must adopt decision on future of Western Balkans soon; Jansa denies that he sent non-paper to Brussels (Nova BH)
EC says there is no info on so-called non-paper of Slovenian PM Jansa on change of borders in Western Balkans and dissolution of B&H (BHT1)
Fajon: Irresponsible behavior in regards to so-called completion of plan on peaceful dissolution of B&H could lead to new conflicts (Nova BH)
US Embassy: B&H is democratic, multiethnic, sovereign and independent country with unquestionable territorial integrity (Hayat)
Dysfunctionality of B&H and its possible dissolution will be main topic of Brdo-Brijuni Summit later this year (Nezavisne)
Grlic Radman: We unconditionally support stability and territorial integrity of B&H (Dnevni avaz)
Cavara: Bosniaks want change of concept of organization so the majority people can have absolute rule (Dnevni list)
Inzko says it is pity B&H HoP missed chance to adopt changes to B&H Criminal Code that refer to denial of genocide; Miletic calls on Inzko to use Bonn Powers to impose law banning denial of genocide (FTV)
Authorities in Sarajevo unwilling to remove plaques that call Serb criminals despite support from the Office of the High Representative for their removal (BN TV)
Report by Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Suffering of Serbs in Sarajevo between 1991 and 1995 published on website of RS Center for War Research, War Crimes and Search for Missing Persons (RTRS/BHT1)
Croatia

Serb National Council presents 2020 report on anti-Serb hate speech and violence (Hina)
Milanovic says Serbia must resolve missing persons issue before joining the EU (HRT)
Montenegro

Djukanovic: I recognize certain capacities in Democrats and URA (RTCG/CdM)
Pribilovic: Dacic will not decide on the fate of our state or anyone else outside it (CdM)
Albania

Facebook removes 300 accounts tied to Iranian exile group MEK in Albania (Tirana Times)

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA SOURCES

Meaningful Dialogue, Forward-Looking Policies between Belgrade, Pristina Central to Moving Forward, European Integration, Kosovo Mission Head Tells Security Council (UN Press Release)

United Nations Office in Belgrade

Daily Media Highlights

Monday 12 April 2021

LOCAL PRESS

Vucic: What German Ambassador has said is not true, but he’s a good man (Beta/Politika)
Office for Kosovo and Metohija: Pristina hiding truth about Decani (RTS/Tanjug)
Petkovic: Future in peace, no room for arms in dialogue (RTS/Tanjug/Politika)
Dacic: Talks to amend election process start on 19 April (TV Pink/Beta)
Eco rally takes place in Belgrade (Beta)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina

Inzko says Serb people are brave and honorable, there is no collective responsibility for war crimes (EuroBlic)
Dodik: RS deserves peaceful life, not burdened by constant interventions of foreigners, which bring nothing good (TV Balkan)
Dodik: It is necessary to appoint new CEC in order to change electoral legislation (Glas Srpske)
Bosniak political parties to undermine US’ initiative (Dnevni list)
Early elections held in Travnik Municipality on Sunday; HDZ B&H boycotts elections in Travnik (BHT1)
Montenegro

PM: The opposition still can’t stand the fact they lost power (CdM)
Markovic: This government has already fallen (Pobjeda)
Stano: Changes regarding citizenship only with consultations (TVCG)
Republic of North Macedonia

Zaev will meet Sela and Gashi to ask them to unblock the parliament (Republika/Telma TV)
Top Albanian Islamist was given a Macedonian passport in 2018 (Republika)
Albania

How the Socialist Party is monitoring confidential information on 910 thousand citizens (Tirana Times/Lapsi.al)
Kim: US supports Albania's justice reform! (Radio Tirana)
Over 13 thousand citizens of Kosovo crossed the border with Albania only yesterday to spend the weekend (Radio Tirana)

LOCAL PRESS

Brnabic: I am glad if Pristina wished to resume dialogue (Tanjug/RTS)
Odalovic: Shieb’s statement on NATO aggression unfounded (RTS)
Schieb: 1999 bombing was justified, comparison with WWII impermissible (Beta/Politika)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina

B&H HoP fails to discuss removal of Minister Lucic; SDA blocks removal of B&H Minister Lucic and requests concessions from SNSD; HoP rejects Amendments to Criminal Code (O kanal)
B&H HoP’s session was on verge of termination after Becirovic called for Dodik’s arrest if he makes moves aimed at disintegration within B&H (RTRS)
International representatives suggest B&H CEC should be included in talks on change of Election Law of B&H (EuroBlic)
B&H CEC preparing its version of B&H Election Law (Glas Srpske)
Nelson and Radoncic discuss electoral reform and anti-corruption efforts (Dnevni avaz)
Stoltenberg sends letter to Turkovic: NATO remains dedicated to security and stability of Western Balkans (Oslobodjenje)
Montenegro

Press release by Secretariat-General of the Government of Montenegro regarding the attack on the official state car on the road Niksic-Podgorica (Secretariat-General of the government of Montenegro)
Krivokapic: My daughter was in car, I won’t forget her tears and fear (CdM)
Krivokapic blames Djukanovic and DPS for patriots’ gathering (CdM)
Vuksic’s first associate takes responsibility for revealing CIA agents’ names (Pobjeda)
Macron writes to Krivokapic: France is standing by your side (President’s PR service)
Republic of North Macedonia

Albanian groups plan protest in support of the killers of Nikola Sazdovski – Sazdo (Republika)
Albania

Flights at TIA are back/ Three controllers arrested for abuse of office (Tirana Times)

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA SOURCES

Serbia Turns Multi-Vector Foreign Policy into Development Model… With China’s Help (China Observers in Central and Eastern Europe)